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Showing posts with the label spiritual growth

Beyond the To-Do List: Finding True Purpose in Our Goals

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  Do you have a goal? A dream? Is it to get the ball into the net? Each of us has goals that are unique to us. Some may be similar, but all are unique. Tonight, we're going to talk about some goal-setting ideas, making sure we create SMART goals, and ways to ensure we accomplish these goals. But first, let's ground our discussion in timeless Biblical wisdom. We often meticulously plan, strategize, and visualize our success. And there's immense value in that focused intention. But have you ever poured your heart and soul into a goal, only to find the outcome wasn't quite what you expected? Or perhaps the journey felt harder, less fulfilling, or even downright futile despite your best efforts? It's a common experience, and it often points to a deeper truth about the nature of our ambitions. Proverbs 16:1-3 offers profound wisdom on this very topic: “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in h...

The Overflowing Harvest: How Giving Actually Makes You Richer

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  We live in a world that often tells us to grasp tightly, to accumulate more, and to prioritize our own security above all else. But what if the path to true abundance — not just financial, but in every area of life — lies in the exact opposite direction? What if the secret to gaining is found in giving? This a timeless truth echoed throughout scripture, and particularly beautifully in Proverbs 12:24-25 (ESV): "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer: another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." Let's unpack these powerful verses and explore what biblical stewardship truly means for our lives today. The Paradox of Prosperity: Giving Freely, Growing Richer The first part of this proverb presents a delightful paradox: "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer." Our natural inclination might be to think that the more we give away, the less we have. Yet, the...